Defend Your Ground

Episode 58: How Congressional Review Act Can Reopen Public Lands

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben Burr and Simone Griffin discuss recent legislative updates regarding public lands, focusing on the Glen Canyon OHV rule and the implications of the Congressional Review Act. 
 
Support Congressional Review of Glen Canyon Closures: https://blueribboncoalition.org/resolution-proposed-to-continue-allowance-of-ohvs-in-glen-canyon-national-recreation-area/
 
Support the Productive Public Lands Act: https://blueribboncoalition.org/support-the-productive-public-lands-act-a-bill-to-reverse-recent-public-land-restrictions-and-closures/
 

Episode 57: BRC Goes to DC to Support Grand Reopening of Our Public Lands

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben, Simone, and BRC Board Vice President Shannon Welch discuss their recent trip to Washington, DC, focusing on public land advocacy, the challenges faced in protecting these lands, and the legislative efforts being made by the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC). Shannon shares her background in public lands and building the King of the Hammers event, while Simone outlines the NEPA projects and legislative priorities that were presented to congressional staffers. The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy and the need for effective communication with lawmakers to ensure the protection and accessibility of public lands. 

Episode 56: Will Unleashing Energy Agenda Affect Recreation?

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben and Simone discuss the recent changes in leadership within the Department of Interior and the implications of new executive orders on public lands and energy development. They explore the balance between recreation and energy interests, the impact of national monuments on access to public lands, and the ongoing fight against privatization of public land. The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy for outdoor recreation and the need to monitor policy changes that affect public access.

Episode 55: We Want Management not Monuments

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben and Simone discuss the recent changes in public land management following the election, focusing on the implications of the Antiquities Act, the challenges of wildfire management, and the role of environmental groups in shaping policies. They explore the limitations of national monuments in protecting land from wildfires - specifically as it relates to the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. They discuss the importance of proactive forest management, and the need for increased funding and prioritization of fire prevention projects. The conversation highlights the tension between environmental protection and the necessity of managing public lands to prevent catastrophic wildfires. The discussion emphasizes the balance between human presence in natural areas and the environmental impacts of such choices, advocating for proactive measures to mitigate risks and improve land management practices.

Episode 54: Halt the Dolores National Monument

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben Burr and Simone Griffin discuss the proposed Dolores National Monument in Western Colorado with local advocates Sean and Danielle Pond. The conversation delves into the implications of the monument on public land use, local economies, and community involvement. The Ponds share their journey into advocacy, the misconceptions surrounding the monument, and the potential economic impacts on their community. They emphasize the importance of local voices in the debate over land management and the need for public engagement to oppose the monument's designation.
Halt the Dolores National Monument Petition: https://www.change.org/p/halt-the-designation-of-the-dolores-river-national-monument
https://blueribboncoalition.org/help-us-oppose-the-dolores-river-canyon-national-monument/
 

Episode 53: Addressing the Haters with The Gambler 500

In this episode of the Defend Your Ground podcast, Ben Burr and Simone Griffin interview Tate Morgan from Sons of Smokey and the Gambler 500. They discuss the origins of the Gambler 500, a race that evolved into the largest trash cleanup event in the world. Tate explains how the Sons of Smokey organization was created to fund the trash cleanup efforts and develop an app for reporting and mapping trash sites on public lands. The conversation also touches on the perception of the Blue Ribbon Coalition and their role in advocating for off-road enthusiasts and protecting access to public lands. In this part of the conversation, Ben and Tate discuss various topics related to public land usage and management. They touch on the impact of national monuments on access and activity, the misconception that motorized users cause more damage than non-motorized users, the importance of getting people out on public lands to foster stewardship, the balance between concentration and dispersion of recreational activities, the role of technology in accessing new areas, the need for responsible use and stewardship among side-by-side users, and the impact of closures and restrictions on public land. They also address the perception that the motorized community is to blame for closures and emphasize the importance of unity and collaboration among different user groups. Ben highlights the need for fair and evidence-based decision-making and challenges the narratives that often dominate public land discussions. In this final part of the conversation, Ben and Simone discuss the importance of education and advocacy in public land management. They address the need for organizations like Tread Lightly and Sons of Smokey to educate users about responsible recreation. They also emphasize the role of administrative advocacy and litigation in influencing land management decisions. The conversation then shifts to the Lakeview Resource Management Plan in southern Oregon, specifically the Christmas Valley Sand Dunes. They discuss the different alternatives proposed in the plan and the potential impact on access and recreation. They encourage listeners to submit comments and get involved in the public comment process.
Mentioned in the show:
Download Sons of Smokey App: SonsOfSmokey on the App StoreApplehttps://apps.apple.com › app › sonsofsmokey
Comment on Christmas Valley plan: https://blueribboncoalition.org/lakeview-oregon-rmp-christmas-valley-dunes-are-at-risk/
Send feedback on Owyhee wilderness proposals: https://blueribboncoalition.org/oppose-the-owyhee-wilderness-in-eastern-oregon-and-western-idaho/

Episode 52: Special Guest Ken Ivory Discusses Utah's Legal Challenge to Federal Land Ownership

Representative Ken Ivory joins the podcast to discuss Utah's historic lawsuit challenging federal ownership of public land. The lawsuit, if successful, could impact how public land is managed not only in Utah but across the country. Ivory explains the background of the lawsuit and the promises made by the federal government that haven't been fulfilled. He emphasizes the importance of multiple use and sustained yield of public lands and criticizes the federal government's management practices. Ivory also addresses concerns about the potential consequences of Utah winning the lawsuit and highlights the need for constitutional questions to be addressed.>>>> Read the Complaint Here <<<<

Episode 51: Yuma East Travel Plan Could Close 500 Miles of Off-road Trails in Arizona

In this episode, Ben and Simone discuss the Yuma East travel management plan in Southwestern Arizona. They explain the different alternatives proposed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the potential impact on off-roading routes. They highlight the importance of understanding the terms 'OHV limited' and 'administrative use only' when evaluating the proposed closures. They also discuss the presence of wilderness areas and lands with wilderness characteristics in the plan and the implications for road closures. Ben and Simone emphasize the need for public comments and potential litigation to challenge the BLM's interpretation of public land management laws.
Comment on the Plan Here: https://www.sharetrails.org/yuma-east-travel-management-plan-open-for-public-comment-possibility-to-close-over-500-miles-of-routes/